Burst dispersion control

ABSTRACT

A means is provided for remotely adjusting the alignment or the boresighting of one or more barrels in a Gatling type gun. The adjustment may be variable and may be made before or during firing.

United States Patent Perrin et al. 1 Aug. 5, 1975 [54] BURST DISPERSION CONTROL 1,448,587 3/1923 Arntzen 89/] L 1.551.809 9/1925 Dodge, Jr, 89/41 A [751 Inventor-5: Dav'd l" Pam", charloftfi Dmlglas 3,380,343 4/1968 Chiubrandy e! 111, 89/12 P. Tassle, St. George; Timothy S. Smith, Essex Junction, all of Vt.

[731 Assignee: General Electric Company, ima y E.\'aminerSamuel W. Engle Burlington Vt, Allorney, Agenl, or Firm-Bailin L. Kuch [22] Filed: Aug. 22, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 390,427

[ ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl. 89/12; 89/1 L [51] Int. Cl. F41d 7/04 A m ns is provided for remotely adjusting the align- [58] Field of Search 89/] L 41 A, 12, 13 126 ment or the boresighting of one or more barrels in a Gatling type gun. The adjustment may be variable and [56] Referen e Cited may be made before or during firing.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,334,983 3/1920 Arter 89/1 L ll Claims, 13 Drawing Figures 42 24 31 36 4O 26 L i 1 L I m 28 TL- I 9 I O h PATENTED AUG 5 I975 SHEET PATENTEU AUG 5 I975 SHEET BURST DISPERSION CONTROL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to controlling the dispersion of rounds of ammunition fired by a Gatling type gun.

2. Prior Art In many situations it is desirable that not all rounds of ammunition, fired by a gun in a burst, impact at the same target point. Due to the inherent inaccuracies of the sight, gun laying and ballistics system, it is frequently desirable to provide a shot-gun or scatter-gun effect, as for example, when shooting at a rapidly moving single target, or at a closely packed group of targets. In the Model 1874 Gatling, a cam track and a pin follower oscillator were provided which automatically traversed the entire gun on its mount. This provided a linear, horizontal, dispersion of the burst. In modern, conventional Gatling guns, shown for example, in US. Pat. No. 2,872,847 issued to H. McOtto on Feb. 10, I959, the interrelationship of the barrels is controlled by forward and middle barrel clamps. It should be noted that in modern Gatling type guns, each barrel fires in sequence, from the same radial orientation as its fellow barrels, and is boresighted to a common target; and, therefore, dispersion is primarily a function of variation in barrel cluster angular velocity and barrel longitudinal rigidity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a means for remotely varying the dispersion of rounds fired by a Gatling type gun.

A feature of this invention is the provision ofa means for remotely adjusting the alignment or the boresighting of one or more barrels in a Gatling type gun. The adjustment may be variable and may be made before or during firing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. I is a partial longitudinal view of the aft portion of a conventional Gatling type gun showing a control mechanism embodying this invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial longitudinal view of the forward position of a conventional Gatling type gun showing a barrel alignment adjustment mechanism embodying this invention;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a tight dispersion pattern obtainable from the mechanism of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal view similar to FIG. 2, showing an intermediate adjustment of the alignment mechanisms;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the mechanism of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic of an intermediate dispersion pattern obtainable from the mechanism of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal view similar to FIG. 2, showing an extreme adjustment of the alignment mechanism;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the mechanism of FIG. 8;

FIG. I0 is a schematic of an extreme dispersion pattern obtainable from the mechanism of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal view of a modified barrel alignment adjustment mechanism embodying this invention',

FIG. 12 is a front view of the mechanism of FIG. II; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic of the dispersion pattern ob tainable from the mechanism of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST EMBODIMENT The embodiment shown herein may be incorporated in any conventional Gatling type gun, shown for example, in US. Pat. No. 3,595,128 issued to .I. P. Hoyt, Jr. on July 27, 1971 and US. Pat. No. 3,380,343 issued to R. E. Chiabrandy et al on Apr. 30, 1968.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, this gun includes a receiver or rotor 10, having a cluster of gun barrels 12 fixed thereto, and journalled for rotation in a housing. The housing includes a backplate 14 having an aft journal 16 for the rotor.

A tubular control assembly 20 is fixed to the housing and includes an aft tube 22, an intermediate tube 24, a collar 26, and a forward tube 28. A motor 30, or other angular positioning means, is fixed within and to the tube 24 and has power leads, not shown. The stator of the motor is thus fixed to the housing. The shaft 32 of the motor is coupled to an extension shaft 34 which is journalled at 36 to the tube 24 and extends forwardly through the tube 28. A gear 38 is fixed to the shaft 34 and is meshed with and drives a gear 40 fixed to the shaft of a potentiometer 42, or other angular identification means, which has control leads, not shown.

A support plate 44 is clamped intermediately of the length of the barrel, advantageously to the conventional rings 46 which receive the conventional midlength clamp. A central longitudinal tube is integral with the clamp. A forward tube 50 is journalled within the tube by a pair of bearings 52 and 54 and is telescoped within, and longitudinally slidable with but rotationally fixed to the forward end of the tube 28. The tube 50 has a threaded bore which receives the threaded midsection 56 of a rod or jack screw 58. The aft end 60 of the rod 58 is longitudinally slidable with but rotationally fixed to the forward end of the shaft 34, so that rotation of the motor shaft 32 longitudinally advances or retracts the rod 58.

A spherical ring 60 is respectively fixed to the end of each gun barrel 12. A muzzle clamp assembly 62 is disposed in the end of the cluster of gun barrels. The clamp assembly has a plurality of bores 64 therein whose respective longitudinal axes are nonparallel to the longitudinal axis of the cluster of barrels. The clamp assembly 62 is journalled on the rod 58 by a pair of bearings 66 and 68, but is clamped against relative longitudinal movement with respect to the rod by a pinned collar 70 and a nut 72. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the bores 64 diverges from the longitudinal axis of the cluster at a different angle. Relative longitudinal movement of the clamp assembly 62 will cause the respective bore 64 to cam the respective ring 60 to deflect the end of the respective gun barrel from the cluster longitudinal axis.

In FIG. 3, the cluster is shown in its undistorted disposition provided by the clamp in its forwardmost position as shown in FIG. 2. The conventional tight dispersion of shots is shown in FIG. 4.

In FIG. 6, the cluster is shown in its mildly distorted disposition provided by the clamp in its midaft position as shown in FIG. 5. The moderate dispersion with full central coverage of shots is shown in FIG. 7.

In FIGv 9, the cluster is shown in its fully distorted disposition provided by the clamp in its aftmost position as shown in FIG. 8. The large dispersion with an open center of shots is shown in FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SECOND EMBODIMENT When a large dispersion with a full central coverage of shots, such as is shown in FIG. 13, is desired. the clamp 100 of FIGS. I1 and 12 should be utilized. In this clamp one bore 102 in the clamp has a longitudinal axis which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cluster. That is, it is boresighted on the cluster axis at the conventional range in the conventional manner. Thus this particular barrel fills in the center of the pattern irrespective of the divergence of the remaining barrels.

While the preferred embodiment herein shown and described includes a specific combination of a stationary motor driving a jack screw, it will be obvious that other means may be provided to longitudinally traverse the muzzle clamp. For example, remote adjustment may be provided by using a differential set of gears, with one side fixed to the rotor the second side fixed to the jack screw, and the third side fixed, via a motor or similar drive means, to the housing. And, that certain changes in the form and arrangement of the parts and in the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made without departing from the underlying idea or principles of this invention within the scope of the apended claims.

What is claimed is:

I. In a Gatling type gun having:

a stationary housing;

a rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation with respect to said housing and a plurality of gun barrels with respective gun bolts, each barrel respectively having an aft end fixed to said rotor in an annular row about said longitudinal axis of rotation; and

means for rotating said rotor about said axis of rotation;

the improvement of:

means for varying the longitudinal alignment of at least one of said barrels during rotation of said rotor by said means for rotating said rotor, including:

control means fixed to and between said stationary housing and the respective distal end of one of said barrels for adjustably varying the longitudinal alignment of said one barrel with respect to said longitudinal axis of rotation, including:

a follower fixed to said distal end of said one barrel,

a driver engaged with said follower, having the characteristic that translation of said driver relative to said housing provides transverse movement of said follower with respect to said longitudinal axis of rotation, and thereby, said distal end of said one barrel, and

adjustable means coupled to and between said housing and said driver for adjustably translating said driver relative to said housing.

2. In a Gatling type gun according to claim 1, the improvement wherein:

said adjustable means includes:

a shaft which is adjustably extensible along said longitudinal axis of rotation.

3. In a Gatling type gun according to claim 2, the improvement wherein:

said extensible shaft includes:

a motor having a stator fixed to said housing and a rotor,

first shaft having a forward end captured to said cam driver for longitudinal translation therewith and journalled thereto for relative rotation, having an intermediate externally threaded portion, and having an aft portion, and

a second shaft having a forward end and an aft end, said forward end being captured to said aft end for rotation therewith, said aft end being captured to said motor rotor for rotation therewith, and said second shaft being so constructed and arranged as to be longitudinally extensible between said first shaft aft end and said motor rotor.

4. In a Gatling type gun according to claim 3, the improvement wherein:

a rotation measuring means is coupled to and between said housing and said extensible shaft for providing a signal responsive to the relative rotation between said housing and said extensible shaft.

5. In a Gatling type gun according to claim I, the improvement wherein:

a plurality of cam followers are each fixed to a respective one of said plurality of gun barrels, and

a like plurality of cam drivers are each respectively fixed to said adjustable means.

6. A gun comprising.

a stationary housing;

a rotor having a plurality of longitudinally extending gun barrels, and journalled for rotation about a longitudinal axis within said housing;

means for rotating said rotor; and

control means operable while said rotor is rotating for adjustably varying concurrently the longitudinal alignment of at least one of said gun barrels with respect to said longitudinal axis;

said control means including:

a muzzle constraint adjacent each of said barrels at its respective distal end,

said muzzle constraint having a respective camming surface which diverges from said longitudinal axis for engagement with each of said barrels to be adjusted and means for longitudinally traversing said muzzle constraint to abut said camming surfaces against said respective barrels to deflect said barrels transversely.

7. A gun according to claim 4 wherein:

said traversing means is coupled to and between said housing and said muzzle constraint.

8. A gun according to claim 7 wherein:

said traversing means is fixed to said housing and journalled to said muzzle constraint.

9. A gun according to claim 7 wherein:

said traversing means includes a motor including a stationary part which is fixed to the housing,

and

a longitudinally movable part which is journalled to said muzzle constraint for rotation with respect thereto and fixed to said muzzle constraint for longitudinal movement therewith.

10. A gun according to claim 9 wherein:

3,897,714 6 said longitudinally movable part of said motor comconstraint.

prises 1]. A gun according to claim 6 wherein:

a rotor coupled to and driving a jack screw said one un barrel has a s heric l cam follow f said rotor being driven by said stationary part of g p er or said mom and 5 engagement with said one cammmg surface. said jack screw longitudinally driving said muzzle 

1. In a Gatling type gun having: a stationary housing; a rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation with respect to said housing and a plurality of gun barrels with respective gun bolts, each barrel respectively having an aft end fixed to said rotor in an annular row about said longitudinal axis of rotation; and means for rotating said rotor about said axis of rotation; the improvement of: means for varying the longitudinal alignment of at least one of said barrels during rotation of said rotor by said means for rotating said rotor, including: control means fixed to and between said stationary housing and the respective distal end of one of said barrels for adjustably varying the longitudinal alignment of said one barrel with respect to said longitudinal axis of rotation, including: a follower fixed to said distal end of said one barrel, a driver engaged with said follower, having the characteristic that translation of said driver relative to said housing provides transverse movement of said follower with respect to said longitudinal axis of rotation, and thereby, said distal end of said one barrel, and adjustable means coupled to and between said housing and said driver for adjustably translating said driver relative to said housing.
 2. In a Gatling type gun according to claim 1, the improvement wherein: said adjustable means includes: a shaft which is adjustably extensible along said longitudinal axis of rotation.
 3. In a Gatling type gun according to claim 2, the improvement wherein: said extensible shaft includes: a motor having a stator fixed to said housing and a rotor, a first shaft having a forward end captured to said cam driver for longitudinal translation therewith and journalled thereto for relative rotation, having an intermediate externally threaded portion, and having an aft portion, and a second shaft having a forward end and an aft end, said forward end being captured to said aft end for rotation therewith, said aft end being captured to said motor rotor for rotation therewith, and said second shaft being so constructed and arranged as to be longitudinally extensible between said first shaft aft end and said motor rotor.
 4. In a Gatling type gun according to claim 3, the improvement wherein: a rotation measuring means is coupled to and between said housing and said extensible shaft for providing a signal responsive to the relative rotation between said housing and said extensible shaft.
 5. In a Gatling type gun according to claim 1, the improvement wherein: a plurality of cam followers are each fixed to a respective one of said plurality of gun barrels, and a like plurality of cam drivers are each respectively fixed to said adjustable means.
 6. A gun comprising: a stationary housing; a rotor having a plurality of longitudinally extending gun barrels, and journalled for rotation about a longitudinal axis within said housing; means for rotating said rotor; and control means operable while said rotor is rotating for adjustably varying concurrently the longitudinal alignment of at lEast one of said gun barrels with respect to said longitudinal axis; said control means including: a muzzle constraint adjacent each of said barrels at its respective distal end, said muzzle constraint having a respective camming surface which diverges from said longitudinal axis for engagement with each of said barrels to be adjusted and means for longitudinally traversing said muzzle constraint to abut said camming surfaces against said respective barrels to deflect said barrels transversely.
 7. A gun according to claim 4 wherein: said traversing means is coupled to and between said housing and said muzzle constraint.
 8. A gun according to claim 7 wherein: said traversing means is fixed to said housing and journalled to said muzzle constraint.
 9. A gun according to claim 7 wherein: said traversing means includes a motor including a stationary part which is fixed to the housing, and a longitudinally movable part which is journalled to said muzzle constraint for rotation with respect thereto and fixed to said muzzle constraint for longitudinal movement therewith.
 10. A gun according to claim 9 wherein: said longitudinally movable part of said motor comprises a rotor coupled to and driving a jack screw, said rotor being driven by said stationary part of said motor, and said jack screw longitudinally driving said muzzle constraint.
 11. A gun according to claim 6 wherein: said one gun barrel has a spherical cam follower for engagement with said one camming surface. 